Things are picking up in the Bay area. There are more and more familiar faces around town, businesses and restaurants are reopening for the season and the number of activities is increasing -- all signs that high season has indeed begun.

It's hard to believe, but Jaltemba Bay Life turns "one" this Saturday. In celebration of our one-year anniversary, we are donating 20% of all revenue generated to local charitable causes from now until November 30. This is a wonderful opportunity for local businesses and homeowners to support the Jaltemba Bay community, while getting advertising on this high traffic and popular website. You can learn more about Jaltemba Bay Life's "Giving is Good" Project" here. This is our way to say thank you for all your support and to give back to our wonderful community!

To find out what else is happening, read through the information below and take a peek at our online Community Calendar.

Are you getting ready to head south for the winter or starting to plan your vacation? You can check the current weather conditions and view the high and low temps and rainfall for the area on the Official Jaltemba Bay Weather Page.

Be sure to watch for the next issue of the Jaltemba Bay Life Newsletter, which will arrive in your InBox on November 21st just in time for your morning coffee.

Saludos!

Editor, Jaltemba Bay Life Newsletter

Photo of the Week

Ahhh... Las Brisas

by Allyson Williams

Last Thursday, I met some girlfriends for lunch at Las Brisas Restaurant in La Penita. As we were getting up to leave, I saw my friend Adan who had just finished surfing. We sat and chatted for a bit and I couldn't help but take a few photos of the old fishing boat tied to a palm tree with the waves crashing in the background. It's not the best photo, but it certainly gives you an idea of the atmosphere at Las Brisas. For those of you who aren't familiar with it, it is the only restaurant on the beach in La Penita. Tiki, the owner, serves up cold drinks and authentic Mexican dishes with a smile. And starting this Wednesday, you can eat, drink and dance on the beach! For more information, see below or visit the Las Brisas Restaurant webpage.

Featured Articles

Date Announced for 2012 Mujeres a Mujeres Jaltemba Bay Fashion Show

by Linda Gibbs

The Women to Women Fashion Show will be held in the beautiful gardens at the home of American interior designer, Thomas Bartlett. His home is located in La Penita. The date will be February 21, 2012. Doors open at 11am, luncheon at 12 noon with the fashion show starting at 1pm. Ticket price remains unchanged at $300.00 pesos per person. Watch for more information in a week or so as to how you can purchase your tickets in advance. Thank you, The Committee.

We want to thank Jeffrey, Lilianne and Barenda for starting us off on the right foot. Now let's see what the rest of you have to say... get ready, get set, get writing!

To submit your story (long or short) or to view what others are saying, click here.

Why I Love Jaltemba Bay

by Barenda

Ah, where to begin? When I first set foot in La Penita, in January 2007, I stepped off the bus on the dusty highway around 10 p.m. I had traveled to this area to meet some friends who had been going for years, and finally talked me into coming. I was traveling alone for the first time, after being married for 25 years, then divorced. I was a bit more than nervous! My friends met me in PV, and so it began. Read entire story >

Community Corner:

Updates on groups, organizations and other good works

"Paws for the Cause" FUNdraiser for Casa de los Ninos

by Dave and Patti Martinez

Paws for the Cause, a photo-shoot for dogs, was held in Sebastopol, California on November 6th. In all, 27 dogs and one goat were photographed. The event raised $1,100 in donations for La Casa de los Niņos children's center in Lo de Marcos. Brenda Hawkes-Ficco, the photographer, grew up with our daughter Lauren and wanted to contribute her love and skills to our project. What a great day we had greeting all the different dogs and their owners!

Dave and Patricia Martinez founded La Casa de los Niņos in Lo de Marcos, Mexico in 2005 in memory of their daughter, her husband and their two children who were killed in a traffic accident that same year. For more information, visit La Casa de los Niņos community webpage.

Jaltemba Bay Rotary Club News

by Susana Connors

Your Tax Dollars at Work!

Municipal commissioners Rosa Guillermina and Romy Mora were the presenters at the Wednesday morning Jaltemba Bay La Penita Rotary club meeting. Dr. Pimienta is making good on his promise to place a greater emphasis on health. Please come and join workers and volunteers on December 3rd and 4th, as they participate in a huge clean up campaign. The designated areas are from Los Ayala to La Penita. The clean-up will focus on the bay, the beaches and the highway. Divers will work the depths of the bay, while others will clean the beaches while others will concentrate on the highway. Come be a part of making YOUR WORLD a better place. For more information see the contact information below.

Making the Tianguis a Cleaner and a More Pleasing Experience

Municipal commissioners, Romy Mora and Rosa Guillermina, are actively getting the word out about the improvement of the popular tiangis open market. One of their stops has been the Jaltemba Bay La Penita Rotary Club's Wednesday morning meetings. They explained to the local Rotary club that a nearby area, originally designed for parking, has evolved into a squatter's slum, without the proper health structures. The squatters will be moved to another area which will then make the market a safer, cleaner and more enjoyable experience.

Support Your Local Government

We have a new municipal administration. They will have an office in your area, how convenient for all! That is the good news. The not so good news, they lack basic office equipment (desks, chairs, file cabinets, supplies, etc). Do not ask "why". It is what it is. The municipal government is combining offices with the federal DIF organization, both to the betterment of our local area. All of us have an extra table, a chair, or office something to donate.

Additional articles about community groups and events are available on the "Archived Articles & Photos" page under the Newsletter tab on Jaltemba Bay Life.

Calender + Events

Events are a wonderful way to immerse yourself in, and learn about, the Mexican culture. Here is a list of upcoming holidays, festivals, events, and activities worth planning around. Also check out our Community Calendar for a complete list of what's going on in the Jaltemba Bay area. If you have information about an event, please email us so we can include it in our next issue. And don't forget to add your event... it's FREE!

This Week

November 10-20

XVII Festival Gourmet

Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit

During this 10-day festival, 29 restaurants from Puerto Vallarta to San Blas and Tepic will participate in the prestigious International Gourmet Festival. For more information, visit the Festival Gourmetwebsite.

November 15

Grand Opening of The PEACE Boutique

Old Town Vallarta

The new PEACE Boutique will feature recycled hand-made items by artisans throughout Mexico. The shop will also sell PEACE Home Tour tickets and PEACE Discount Cards. The new shop is located at Lazaro Cardenas #231 in Plaza Romy, Old Town Vallarta. Sales will directly benefit local artisans and provide essential funding for PEACE to continue other community programs. For more information, visit The PEACE Boutique.

November 16

Manuel & Friends Play at Las Brisas Restaurant

On the Beach in La Penita

Starting today, Tiki will have live music by Manuel & Friends every Wednesday at 5pm. Come dance the night away! For more information, visit the Las Brisas webpage.

November 16-19

JBAR Free Spay & Neuter Clinic

Circuito Libertad #7, La Penita

This is the second clinic of the season and it is sure to be a very busy clinic as Dr. Malcolm Macartney and the Canadian vet team are once again flying in to help. If you would like to volunteer your time, provide lunch or dinner, make a donation, bring an animal in to be sterilized or learn more about JBAR and these clinics, visit the Jaltemba Bay Animal Rescue (JBAR) community webpage.

November 18

Casa Cooking Classes Begin

Guayabitos

Debra Triplett and Elizabeth Nunez Leon's popular authentic Mexican cooking classes start this Friday, November 18. Each class focuses on a traditional Mexican entree using the freshest local foods and includes in depth information, cooking techniques and recipes. For more information or to register, visit the Casa Cooking Classes webpage.

November 20

Día de la Revoluciķn (Mexican Revolution Day)**

This major holiday commemorates the revolution in 1910, led by Francisco Madero. Celebrated on Monday, November 21, 2011.

8am-1pm: Parade in La Penita.

7pm: Celebration in the Plaza in Los Ayala with a traditional Mexican dinner (available for purchase), dance featuring children of Los Ayala and fireworks.

Plus, there will be Banda in the Plaza in La Penita in the evening.

If you have information about an upcoming event or activity, please email it to us at Allyson@JaltembaBayLife.com so we can include it in the next edition of the newsletter.

Next Week

November 22 - March 27

PEACE Home Tours

Old Town Vallarta

Every Tuesday, visitors can explore traditional-style Vallarta casas to graceful haciendas and multi-million dollar ocean-front villas. The 3-hour tour ends at a small, family-owned restaurant where tour-goers can attempt to make tortillas with the owner's 88-year-old mother. Tickets are $35 USD and all proceeds support PEACE projects. For more information, visit the PEACE Home Tour PV website.

November 26 - December 4

25th Guadalajara International Book Fair

Exhibition Center, Expo Guadalajara

The Guadalajara International Book Fair is the most important publishing gathering in Ibero-America. It is also an amazing cultural festival. Created 25 years ago by the University of Guadalajara, the Fair is aimed at professionals and the general public alike, a characteristic that sets it apart from other book fairs around the globe. With business as one of its main goals, it is also a cultural festival in which literature plays a major role including a program where authors from all continents and languages participate, and a forum for the academic discussion of the major issues of our time. For more information, visit http://www.fil.com.mx

** Indicates Nationwide holidays -- Schools, banks, post offices, and other public government offices are closed during these Mexican National Holidays. Often times these and other major holidays include the nearest Monday to create a 3-day weekend.

Ongoing

Mondays:

Los Amigos de Jaltemba

(Starting Nov. 28) Los Amigos meets the second and fourth Mondays of each month at Restaurante La Palapa de Guty (Circuito Libertad #4) in La Peņita. There is a social gathering at 6:30pm followed by the formal meeting at 7pm.More Info >

Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays:

Guayabitos Yoga

(Now - March 30) Work on strength, flexibility, core power and balance during these outdoor yoga classes. Classes start at 7:30am (9am class will be added in January). More Info >

(Year-Round) The Tianguis (open-air market) is held every Thursday from 8am-1pm or so around the Plaza in La Peņita (map). It is "the" place to shop for silver and handmade jewelry, tablecloths and linens, glassware, Talavera pottery, Huichol Indian artwork and Oaxacan rugs. You will also find fresh fruits and veggies, homemade breads and locally-produced honey and coffee. This is one of the largest and most well-known markets in the area. While the Tianguis continues year-round, many of the artisans do not participate during the summer months.

Fridays:

Casa Cooking Classes

(Nov. 18 - March 23) Each class focuses on a traditional Mexican meal using the freshest local foods with information on ingredients, utensils and techniques. Classes are Fridays at 2pm in Guayabitos. Registration starts now! More Info >

Saturdays-Sundays:

Breakfast at Tiffany's

(Now - April 21-22) Enjoy brunch on the back terrace at El Panorama Hotel in La Peņita every weekend from 8am-noon. 10% of the proceeds go to Jaltemba Bay Animal Rescue (JBAR). Reservations are required. More Info >

We are proud to promote the following businesses, vacation rentals, and real estate listings on the Jaltemba Bay Life site. Please support these and the other local businesses that make our website possible through their advertising. Thank You!

FEATURED RENTAL

Los Compadres Resort

La Peņita

Beautiful resort with 7 spacious and private suites and stunning views of the entire Jaltemba Bay. Stay for a week or month. more>

NEW

Casa Erica

Los Ayala

This 2-bedroom condo is in the Villas Marena complex and is ideally situated steps from the pool and beach, and just a few minutes from town. more>

Featured Real Estate

Listing your Real Estate By-Owner on our site is easy, affordable and it runs until you sell. Click here to find out how. You can view more Home and Condo Listings here.

FEATURED REAL ESTATE

Casa Tequila

Guayabitos, Residential$1,350,000 USD

Spectacular beachfront home with oceanfront pool, five bedrooms and immaculately maintained property. more>

NEW

Casa Vista Tranquilo

Guayabitos, Residential

$373,000 USD

The construction and work- manship of this home, built by Mariano Sanches, are beyond compare. Must see! more>

Thank You / Gracias

We want to thank you for taking the time to read this issue of the Jaltemba Bay Life Newsletter.

The team at Jaltemba Bay Life works hard to provide you with the most up-to-date and informative site for both locals and visitors to the area.

If you own a business, hotel or vacation rental, and/or have real estate to sell, we hope you will consider advertising on our site. You'll be listed in our directories and be seen by hundreds of locals and visitors each and every day. We stand by our product and our commitment to the community -- that's why all fees are 100% money-back guaranteed!

We value your opinions and feedback. Please email us or post on the Jaltemba Bay Folk Forum if you've enjoyed this issue of our newsletter or if you have comments or suggestions about how we can make our community website even better!